Is it the dogs fault? Or our own?

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

As the news continues to follow the tragic story of schoolgirl Jade Lomas-Anderson who was apparently mauled by at least 4 dogs at a home near Wigan there are cries from the general public to ban such dangerous dogs, but are the dogs to blame or is it us?

The attack took place last Tuesday and it is reported that 2 Staffordshire Bull Terriers and 2 bull mastiffs were involved in the fight which left the teenager for dead.

But is it all too easy to say that these are dangerous animals?

Throughout the 70's 80's and 90's apparent dangerous dogs were identified including Dobermans, Alsatians and Pit Bulls, but some may argue that it's actually the owners fault that these animals have the temperaments that they do and not the dogs themselves.

Everyday I look out of my window and I can guarantee that at some point in the day I can spot a Chav wearing a tracksuit and pair of Nike trainers with a Staffie in tow, sometimes with a lead, offen without. Nowadays it seems to be a statement that you have to have a "Staffie" in order to be hard or cool I guess but you can see by the way they just don't bother with the animal even when just walking down the street that in some cases the owners really are the cause of many problems that arise with these breeds.

They are without a doubt very powerful animals, and you really do have to bring them up right with good discipline to harness the power that they could potentially release, so in my eyes I would say that it takes the right kind of person and the right attitude to keep one of these so called dangerous dogs.

It's a shame that this poor girl has died, it really is, and I am not saying that it's down to the owners of the dogs that this is the reason this have happened to her, but I'm looking more towards peoples reaction towards such an event and I do find it difficult to understand why many naturally assume it's the dogs fault.

Maybe it's just easier to blame them, afterall, it's not like they can answer back.